President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday urged Nigerian youths to participate in politics.
The President declared that the future of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) lies in strengthening internal democracy, transparent electoral processes, pro-people policies, and programmes, and value of each member’s contribution to the growth of the party.
At a virtual meeting with APC youths at State House, President Buhari noted that the ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise across the country will further ensure a shared vision for the party, grassroots ownership and participation, and inclusiveness for youths.
‘’I was in Daura to revalidate my membership and I encourage you all to do the same. My belief and firm commitment are that politics is a game of numbers, and political power truly belongs to the people. Parties are built from the ground up.
‘’I envisage a party that we can have transparent electoral contests, drive policies and programmes that are pro-people, and most importantly, have members determine who represents them, not some leaders somewhere“, the President said.
He assured the youths of more party and government policies that will accommodate their interests, with a committee on the way, largely of the young, that will especially take into cognizance and work for the interest of youths.
“Young people owe to this country. The responsibility is to deploy their energy and creativity in every field, including health, science, education, sports and agriculture, and bring up innovations that would be in tandem with changing dynamics of the world.
“While I will be looking forward to a more robust engagement with young people across the country, I emphasize to you all that in me, you have a major supporter. I will offer you my full support to grow in politics, public service, entertainment, entrepreneurship and many other sectors because I know that the future we envisage as a country cannot happen without our youths.
‘’In the days ahead, I will be engaging with Minister for Youth, national youth leader of APC and others to fine-tune continuous and deliberate strategy on how to better drive a more robust youth inclusion and participation in different sectors”, Buhari said.
The President urged youths to join APC while thanking many who stood by the party over the years.
‘’I have followed with keen interest the efforts of many of you in your bid to grow our party, the APC, into a strong and long-lasting platform that would sustain progressive governance in Nigeria. Taking issues concerning our party seriously is commendable and shows your forward-thinking”, he added.
